A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues that lets you get drunk on the sound and vocals.
What songs come to mind when you think of the blues?
Originally, it was music born from African peoples who had immigrated to America, beginning with songs that expressed the sorrow and laments of the poor.
Compared to jazz, which is centered on instruments, I think the blues has a special appeal in that you can enjoy it mainly with guitar and vocals.
Japanese blues is very rich in flavor and is perfect for listening to at a relaxed pace!
That groove that makes you drunk on the sound and the singers’ emotive expressiveness—blues moves the heart in every era.
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A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues to lose yourself in the sound and vocals (21–30)
bluesUNICORN
“Blues” by Unicorn is a single released in 1991.
It’s a labor anthem written and composed by drummer Koichi Kawanishi, and it has a somewhat ethnic vibe.
The relaxed, reassuring sound combined with Tamio Okuda’s low vocals creates a uniquely pleasant feel.
It’s irresistibly rich in Unicorn’s signature playfulness and melancholy.
Although it’s a very popular song, it’s a rare track that wasn’t included on any original album.
Tamio Okuda himself liked “Blues” and frequently performed it at his solo shows.
Nakanoshima BluesAkiniba Yutaka & Aronaitsu
This song was written when Yutaka Akinoba and the Alonights were still an amateur band.
They released a self-produced record in 1973, and the major-label version came out in 1975.
Notably, Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five also performed the same song.
majority bluesChatmonchy
This is a blues song by Chatmonchy that portrays a life devoted to music.
I want to be like everyone else, but I also want to show more of my own individuality… that’s something we all experience, isn’t it? It candidly chronicles the struggles from the time they were chasing the dream of becoming musicians in Tokushima, drawn from real experiences that resonate with raw emotion.
I felt how setting straightforward feelings to the blues can deliver them so directly.
As time goes by, it’d be nice if we can slowly come to accept our past selves, too.
Your BluesYabuki Ken
“Anata no Blues” is Ken Yabuki’s debut single, released in 1968.
It also won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Record Awards.
It strongly carries the flavor of kayōkyoku, and the repeated use of the word “anata” (you) is very striking.
Ken Yabuki was known as the “Misty Voice,” and his powerful vocals are truly captivating.
I imagine some people belt it out at karaoke, too.
The song is cherished and has been covered by many popular singers, including Keiko Fuji, Shinichi Mori, Yoshimi Tendo, Aki Yashiro, and Kiyoshi Hikawa.
OSAKA Rainy Bluesreika
Reika, who debuted in 2006 and is known for many moody songs.
Her “OSAKA Rainy Blues” is a must-check, too.
As the title suggests, this track is set in Osaka and sings of a woman’s sorrow after being deceived by a man.
A major feature is that the lyrics are entirely in Osaka dialect, giving it a slightly different vibe from her other songs.
By the way, the coupling track “Tokyo Bolero” depicts a love story set in Tokyo.
It’s also recommended to compare the two.
